Tillage farmers now have until 15 October to plant catch crops, the Department of Agriculture has confirmed.
In a circular issued to agricultural advisers this week, the Department said it was extending the deadline for sowing catch crops from 30 September to Saturday 15 October.
However, the extended deadline is only open to those who have already applied for the 30 September extension.
The deadline for sowing of catch crops had previously been moved by 15 days to 30 September. The Department made the decision to extend the date due to the fact that in some areas of Ireland, straw is not yet baled while in other areas, the crops might not yet be fully harvested.
What the Department has not yet clarified is will a farmer be penalised if they decide if it is now not worthwhile to sow catch crops at all. Farmers who sow catch crops receive a payment of €155/ha.